Is the pain im feeling a Charlie Horse?

Question

About once a month I will get this horrible pain in my leg. It usually happens during the late hours of the night. Like 11 and later. And it is always on my knee. But its never on both legs, just one.

And its not like horrible pain, but its just uncomfortable. And The only way to make it go away is to go to sleep. But sometimes I cant even go to sleep because its hurting so bad. Its brought me to tears.

What is this? How can I stop it once it starts?

Answer 1

For some reason, charlie horses or leg cramps usually come in the middle of the night.  More than once I have woke up in pain because a muscle in my leg has cramped up.  All I can suggest is that you get up and walk it out.  Or lay quietly and concentrate on relaxing the muscle that is cramped.....that is easier said than done.  I get cramps like that in the bottom of my feet sometimes, I find that getting up and putting my foot on the cold tile floor of the bathroom seems to help with that.  Why?  I couldn't tell you, but it does usually work.  Leg cramps can sometimes mean you are dehydrated.  So make sure that you drink plenty of water during the day (not too close to bedtime though-you'll be getting up all night to pee!).